U.S. patent number 4,379,377 [Application Number 06/323,513] was granted by the patent office on 1983-04-12 for edge guard.
This patent grant is currently assigned to U.S. Product Development Company. Invention is credited to Robert Adell.
United States Patent |
4,379,377 |
Adell |
April 12, 1983 |
Edge guard
Abstract
An edge guard formed from a metallic strip to a generally
U-shaped cross section wherein the base of the U has a generally
semi-circular shape and beads at the distal ends of the legs are
inwardly offset. An insulating liner may also be laminated to the
metal strip before roll forming to the U-shape.
Inventors: |
Adell; Robert (Sunnyvale,
TX) |
Assignee: |
U.S. Product Development
Company (Novi, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23259519 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/323,513 |
Filed: |
November 23, 1981 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/462; 428/122;
52/717.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R
13/043 (20130101); Y10T 428/24198 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B60R
13/04 (20060101); B60J 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;49/462,460 ;52/716-718
;428/126,192 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kannan; Philip C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Stephenson and Boller
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an edge guard of the type comprising a metal strip formed
into a generally U-shaped cross section having inner and outer legs
and beads at the distal ends of the legs via which the edge guard
is self-retained on the edge of an object when installed thereon,
the improvement wherein the U-shaped cross section has a generally
semi-circularly contoured base and includes inward offsets joining
the ends of the base with each bead so that the beads are disposed
in inwardly offset relation to the diametrically opposite ends of
the generally semi-circularly contoured base.
2. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein one side of the
cross section is symmetric to the other side.
3. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein the beads are
formed by being outwardly reversed.
4. The improvement set forth in claim 3 wherein the beads are
closed.
5. The improvement set forth in claim 3 in which the beads are
open.
6. The improvement set forth in claim 1 wherein the edge guard
includes an insulating liner lining the interior of the U-shaped
cross section to insulate the metal of the edge guard from the edge
of an object on which the edge guard is to be installed.
7. The improvement set forth in claim 6 wherein the insulating
liner is adhered in surface-to-surface contact with the interior of
the U-shaped cross section.
8. The improvement set forth in claim 6 wherein the insulating
liner is a separate element.
9. The improvement set forth in claim 7 in which the insulating
liner is adhered to the full width of the surface of the metal
strip from which the metal edge guard is formed and the beads are
formed by outwardly reversing the distal end margins of the strip
so that the insulating liner covers the exterior portion of the
beads to provide a band of insulation running lengthwise at the
distal end of each leg on the exterior of the cross section.
10. The improvement set forth in claim 9 wherein each band of
insulation is disposed generally flush with the corresponding end
of the semi-circular base in the vicinity of the point at which the
corresponding offset merges into the semi-circular base.
11. In an edge guard of the type comprising a metal strip formed
into a generally U-shaped channel, having inner and outer legs via
which the edge guard is self-retained on the edge of a door when
installed thereon, the improvement wherein the distal end of the
outer leg is inwardly offset relative to a proximal portion of the
outer leg, the distal end being joined to the proximal portion by a
curved offset.
12. The improvement set forth in claim 11 including a band of
material on the exterior of the inwardly offset distal end of the
outer leg.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ornamental and protective edge guards
such as applied to the edges of sheet metal members of automotive
vehicles, for example swinging closures such as doors, trunk lids,
hoods, gasoline fill doors, and other members such as drip rails,
bumper edges, etc.
In the case of the vehicle's doors door edge guards are applied to
the trailing edges to protect them from damage which might be
caused by striking an object which may be present in a door's path
when the door is opened. It is also desirable for such door edge
guards to be made of bright metal such as stainless steel,
aluminum, or a bimetal due to the excellent protective and
ornamental character of such materials. Furthermore the inherent
strength and resiliency of metallic edge guards enable them to be
self-retaining on the doors. Correspondingly it is generally
undesirable to use separate fasteners or adhesives in securing door
edge guards to doors since they involve extra cost in labor and
materials. It is also generally undesirable to use strictly
non-metallic edge guards such as plastic edge guards since they do
not possess the excellent protective ornamental and self-retention
characteristics of bright metallic edge guards. In connection with
the usage of self-retaining edge guards, it has heretofore been
recognized that the potential for paint scratching and marring
exists when the metal edge guards are applied to the vehicle door
edges. Such paint scratching can lead to premature corrosion of the
door edge metal. Some of applicant's own inventions have addressed
this matter of possible paint scratching and corrosion and have
provided solutions. Some of applicant's prior inventions are
represented by issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,704,687 and 4,259,812 as
well as pending patent applications Ser. Nos. 118,475; 132,525;
194,747; 194,748; 194,749; 216,483; and 216,860. Certain of these
disclose the use of plastic liners to insulate the metal edge guard
from the vehicle door. The liners may be extruded plastic, plastic
encapsulation, foam plastic or plastic film by way of example.
In particular, reference is made to pending application Ser. No.
216,860 which contains an example of an edge guard having a
laminated plastic lining with the legs of the edge guard having
insulated metal beads running along the free ends of the legs and
by which the retention force is applied to the door. Metal beads
are particularly useful for they can provide a stiffening of the
legs at the point of force application to the door while also
providing a decorative feature in the case of the insulated metal
construction wherein the beads are formed by outwardly reversing
the ends of the legs so as to yield a band or narrow strip of the
insulating liner exposed to view. The linear can be a dark plastic
so that the narrow strip appears as a colored band which contrasts
with the bright metal of the remaining exposed portion of the edge
guard so that the overall appearance of the edge guard is
particularly pleasing and/or decorative. The present invention
however may be practiced with or without such liners although usage
of liners is definitely preferred.
One of the important advantages of metal door edge guards of the
type which applicant has invented and successfully developed is
that the metal edge guards are self-retaining. This means that no
separate fasteners, adhesives or extra procedures are required in
order to install the edge guards on the doors. Thus further means
that there is less possibility for corrosive action to be initiated
and it means that the installation procedure is less complicated.
In many instances the edge to which the edge guard is applied will
have a particular contour conforming to the desired styling of the
vehicle. In most instances this is other than a straight shape and
the contour will have peaks and recesses at selected locations.
Applicant has also heretofore invented constructions and procedures
for applying self-retaining edge guards to contoured door edges
which have other than a straight shape. For example notches and
overbends are procedures which have been applied in order to
conform the edge guard to the contour of the door edge and enhance
the effectiveness of the legs of the edge guard in retaining the
edge guard on the door.
The present invention is directed to a new and improved door edge
guard having a new and unique cross sectional shape which provides
advantages which have heretofore not been obtained with prior edge
guards. Never before in applicant's thirty years of edge guard
manufacture has there been an edge guard of such retention quality
which can self-retain on edges of far greater irregularity. In
particular the invention has resulted in improved tolerance control
of the door edge guard cross section and this in turn can minimize
the amount of additional procedures such as notching and
overbending which otherwise might have to be applied to a door edge
guard. The invention provides a stronger edge guard cross section
with improved retention capability, yet there are no extra
complications of the manufacturing procedure or of the installation
procedure. While the invention is preferably utilized with
insulated metal edge guards, it is possible for the invention to be
practiced without the use of insulation if that is what is desired.
The edge guard of the present invention has what may be considered
as basically a U-shaped cross section but there are particular
details of the cross section which constitute new and unique
features providing heretofore unobtained advantages.
In accordance with the principles of the invention the edge guard
is provided with beads at the distal ends of the legs which are
formed by outwardly reversing the metal strip of the edge guard
back onto itself. The legs further include an offset whereby the
point at which the beads bear against the door edge is inwardly
offset. The beads themselves may be either open or closed and they
may be either inwardly or outwardly reversed. In the preferred
embodiment disclosed in the drawing the edge guard has an
insulating liner through which the force is applied to the door
edge and the beads are turned outwardly. The base of the U-shaped
cross section is basically of a semi-circular shape which merges
into the offsets on opposite sides of the cross section. The
invention yields the advantage that the dimension across the throat
of the edge guard (i.e. the opening between the beads) can be much
better controlled dimensionally from the manufacturing standpoint
and yet a very strong but resiliently expansible edge guard
results. By the two sides of the edge guard being symmetrical and
by the bearing portions of the beads facing each other and being
generally flat, but with the leading edge of each bead being
rounded, installation of the edge guard on a door edge is
particularly convenient, yet when installed the edge guard is very
securely self-retained. A further advantage, particularly in the
case of an insulated metal edge guard where the installation is
applied to the full width of the metal strip from which the edge
guard is formed, is that a thin band of insulation material is
exposed to view where the distal end of each leg has the bead
formed by turning the end of the leg outwardly. This, coupled with
the offset, renders the exposed decorative band generally flush
with a tangent to the region where the offset merges with the
generally semicylindrical base of the edge guard. In this way the
invention possesses various functional and decorative aspects.
While the disclosed usage is as a door edge guard, other usages are
contemplated.
The foreoing features, advantages, and benefits of the invention,
along with additional ones, will be seen in the ensuing description
and claims which should be considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The drawings disclose preferred embodiments
of the invention according to the best mode contemplated at the
present time for carrying out the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a vehicle
containing door edge guards embodying principles of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section view through a door edge guard
embodying principles of the invention and shown by itself.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing another embodiment by
itself.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating another
embodiment as applied to the edge of the door and is substantially
taken in the direction of arrows 4--4 is FIG. 1 and enlarged.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a portion of an automobile 10 comprising front and
rear doors 12 and 14 on the trailing edges of which are door edge
guards 16 and 18 respectively embodying principles of the present
invention. The edge guards are generally elongate and essentially
co-extensive in length with the trailing edges of the doors, each
guard conforming to the contour of the trailing edge of its door.
It will be appreciated that the actual length of an edge guard may
be somewhat less than the length of the trailing edge and therefore
that the drawing is merely exemplary.
FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of cross section, referred to
by the reference numeral 20, for a door edge guard embodying
principles of the invention. While the cross section represents the
engineering design shape, it will be appreciated that in actual
specimens the cross section of the end of the specimen may depart
from the formed shape. This is because the metal distorts and
deforms when cut. It will also be appreciated that some distortion
of the cross section may occur due to manufacturing procedures. For
example, where the beads are squeezed and deformed, they may in
actual practice be slightly distorted; also where the edge guard is
swept to conform to a sweep in the edge contour, the cross section
may also distort. However, the strength which is imparted through
the invention means that better dimensional control of the throat
of the channel results and hence the improved self-retention and
installation characteristics. This embodiment is an insulated metal
edge guard comprising a metal edge guard 22 and an insulating liner
24. In this embodiment the insulating liner 24 is a plastic such as
vinyl which is applied in surface-to-surface contact with the full
surface of one side of the metal strip from which the edge guard 22
is formed. Details of this fabrication procedure are disclosed in
certain of applicant's pending applications referred to above. The
resultant construction has insulated metal beads 26 and 28
respectively at the distal ends of the outer and inner legs. The
door edge guard cross section may be considered basically of a
U-shape; however the particular details of the edge guard provide
new and unique structural features which provide heretofore
unavailable benefits in a door edge guard.
The edge guard is formed into the illustrated shape through roll
forming procedures and this shape may be considered as constituting
a generally semi-circular segment 30 constituting the base of the
U. In using this as well as the ensuing terminology, it will be
appreciated that such terminology is intended to be construed by
way of illustration and not by way of limitation. The cross section
continues from the diametrically opposite ends of the semi-circular
base section 30 as contoured inward offset segments 32 for the
inner leg and 34 for the outer leg. Alternatively the segments 30,
32 and 34 potentially could be considered as a segment by itself
having an extent of somewhat more than a semi-circle. While these
segments 32 and 34 are of an approximately circular contour, it is
not absolutely essential that they have such circular contour and
hence the contour could be more straight than is shown, or sharper
than is shown. Viewed another way the legs of the cross section
could be considered as extending part way into opposite sides of
the base 30.
The cross section continues further from the two offset segments 32
and 34 as formed segments 36 for the inner leg and 38 for the outer
leg. The segments 36, 38 are also essentially curved with their
centers of curvature being exterior of the cross section. These
segments in turn merge into generally straight segments 40 for the
inner leg and 42 for the outer leg. These segments 40 and 42 also
constitute a part of the respective beads 26 and 28. In use, the
self-retention force of the edge guard on the door is applied
through these segments 40 and 42 via the insulating liner which
overlies these segments bearing against the door edge on opposite
sides.
The beads 26 and 28 are formed by outwardly reversing the extreme
distal margins of the legs approximately 180 degrees. In the
illustrated cross section 20 the reversals are more than 180
degrees with there being provided small openings 44 and 46
respectively in the respective beads; in other words the beads are
not fully closed as in the example of FIG. 3 which will be
hereinafter explained.
One of the advantages of the invention is that the cross section
has a substantial strength yet it can be readily applied to the
edge of the door and when applied will exert a substantial
retention force. The exact reason for this unique attribute is not
known; however it is believed to be developed through the inclusion
of the offsets, the beaded legs and the semi-circumferential span
at the base of the U. A still further attribute is that in actual
manufacture the dimension across the throat or opening of the edge
guard indicated by the reference numeral 48 can be more precisely
controlled. Because of the strength of the cross section and its
resistance to collapse the opening should remain at the desired
dimension when it comes time to install the edge guard on the door
even though the edge guard has been subjected to the usual handling
involved in shipment from the supplier's plant to the assembly
plant. The invention permits the use of lighter and cheaper metal
with lighter gage increasing the yield per pound and saving the
consumer money.
The resistance of the cross section to collapse is dramatically
demonstrated if one were to attempt to apply a force to the beads
urging the beads together. It would be found to that it is
virtually impossible to manually collapse the door edge guard
whereas with edge guards of other cross sections the resistance to
collapse would be considerably lower. The dimension 48 is set to
accommodate the minimum thickness of door edge which would be
anticipated, yet in the other direction where larger door thickness
are involved, the cross section can readily expand to accommodate
those increased edge thicknesses. Irrespective of the thickness of
the particular door edge within the specified thickness tolerance,
excellent retention characteristics are obtained yet the edge guard
can be easily applied to the door. Indeed the edge guard possesses
surprisingly remarkable attributes.
A further attribute of the invention is that the outwardly turned
beads have the exposed insulation visible to an observer as
indicated by the reference numeral 50. The outside of the edge
guard bead is approximately flush with a tangent line to the
semi-circular segment 30, as indicated approximately by the broken
line designated by the reference numeral 52. Thus the beads may be
considered as being offset inwardly along the legs of the edge
guard so that the exposed visible portion of the bead is generally
flush with a tangent line to a more proximal portion such as at a
point indicated by the reference numeral 54. Where the bead
includes insulation as in this example, a particularly attractive
appearance results with the insulation being substantially flush
with the remainder of the leg. The insulation, by way of example,
may be a vinyl plastic which has been laminated to the metal strip
before roll forming and may be of a dark color such as black, brown
or navy. The advantage of using a dark vinyl material is that
discoloration due to aging does not pose a problem as it does with
a transparent or other type of plastic which might be subject to
such undesirable features as yellowing and the like due to
ultra-violet light and/or ozone. Because of the unique attributes
of the invention it is possible to eliminate or minimize other
manufacturing procedures which are often employed in the
manufacture of door edge guards such as overbending.
FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment 56 of cross section for a
door edge guard embodying principles of the invention. In the
embodiment of FIG. 3 those portions of the cross section which
correspond to similar portions in the FIG. 2 example are identified
by the same basic reference numeral but with inclusion of a small a
suffix. Hence, one looking at the FIG. 3 construction will first
recognize that the generally semi-circular base segment 30a is
generally the same as the corresponding segment 30 in FIG. 2. The
offset segments 32a and 34a are however slightly different in that
they have a smaller radius of curvature than do their counterparts
32 and 34 in the FIG. 2 embodiment. Similarly the segments 36a, 38a
also have different radius of curvature than their counterparts 36,
38.
Another readily noticeable difference is that the beads are fully
closed in FIG. 3 so that there are no openings such as the openings
44 and 46 in the FIG. 2 example. It will also be observed that the
outer edge 50a of the bead on the outer leg is not exactly tangent
with the tangent line 52a corresponding to the tangent 52 in FIG.
2. The portion 50a is however parallel to the tangent line 52a and
it is potentially possible to change the shape so that the portion
50a could in fact lie on the tangent line 52a. The insulating layer
of the FIG. 3 example is assembled to the metal channel according
to the same manufacturing procedure which is explained in
connection with the FIG. 2 example. Hence the embodiment 56 is a
unitary laminated structure as is the FIG. 2 embodiment.
FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of cross section 58
embodying principles of the invention and is substantially as taken
in the direction of arrows 4--4 in FIG. 1. The reference numeral 60
designates the edge of the door which according to the prevailing
manufacturing practice comprises inner and outer door panels which
are secured together by the edge of outer door panel being wrapped
around and secured to a flange on the inner door panel.
In the example of FIG. 4 the metal edge guard 22b and the
insulating liner 24b are separate elements not bonded together as
were the examples of the first two embodiments. In FIG. 4 portions
of the construction corresponding to their counterparts in FIGS. 2
and 3 are identified by the same base numeral as in FIG. 2 but
including the suffix small b. In the example of FIG. 4, the liner
24b is a film of vinyl insulation which has been applied over the
edge of the door and of sufficient length so that when the metal
edge guard 22b is installed the beads of the edge guard will bear
against the opposite sides of the door edge through the two legs of
the insulating liner. The liner in this way protects the entire
edge of the door which is disposed within the interior of the edge
guard so that the possibility of electrochemical action between the
metal edge guard and the door is avoided. The plastic 24 could be
vinyl, mylar, polyethylene or any similar type of material
possessing insulative characteristics which prevent elctrochemical
action. The liner may also provide protection against chipping or
marring of the paint and could even have an impact absorbing or
cushioning character to it. Hence a foam tape of similar type of
material could also be used. The material could be either film or
could be extruded to whatever cross sectional shape is desired. The
liner could also have adhesive on one or both sides, and this could
be either self-adhering, or pressure or heat activated cements.
The metal edge guard 22b is basically similar to the metal edge
guard 22 of the FIG. 2 embodiment; however the semi-circular
segment of the edge guard as well as the offsetting segments 32b
and 34b differ slightly in dimensional characteristics from their
counterparts of FIG. 2. The beaded construction is similar in that
the beads are not fully closed so as to leave the openings 44b and
46b. Even through the insulating liner 24b and the metal edge guard
22b of FIG. 4 are separate elements the construction is such that
assembly of the edge guard to the door edge is nonetheless readily
accomplished and when installed, very substantial retention forces
are the result. In all embodiments the cross section has superior
resistance to collapse and dimensional stability, yet can be easily
installed, and when installed possesses strong retention
forces.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown it
will be appreciated that principles of the invention may be applied
to other embodiments.
* * * * *